Friction-coupling.



PATBNTBD MAR-29, 1904.

No. 755,953.L

VW. H. SMITH. BRIGTION GOUPLING.' ALIGAT'ION FILED JUNE 6, 1903.

No MODEL.

aww/Moz William- H. Smith @En 'his @tt y l v wwmmm/fmw.

Y No. 755,953.

v UNITED l STAT-ns Patented March 29, 1904..

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM HENRY SMITH, OF PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND. Y

FRlCTlON-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent No. 755,953, dated March29, 1904.

Application led June 6, 1903. Serial No. 160,352. (No model.)

y dence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Friction Couplings, of which the following is aspecication.

The object of my invention is to secure simple and effective means forpreventing the breaking of machinery when subjected to eX- cessivestrains. For this purpose I providea friction-coupling of simpleconstruction which under ordinary working conditions remains rigid, butwhich under a dangerous excess of load will slip. It will also be usefulwhere a given pressure is desired. The coupling is made adjustable as toits frictional resistance, so that the excess of strain under which itwill yield may be predetermined.

The invention can be applied to many kinds of machines which are subjectto sudden and great increase in the load and would prevent stripping ofgears and other breakdowns.r For instance, if an automobile with thisimprovement were started or stopped too suddenly the coupling would slipa little. vAlso in rolling machinery this device would be of service, asit is very common on getting some abnormal substance between the rollersto smash the gears to pieces. On cranes and hoists if the load beinglifted come in contact with an obstacle insteadof breaking'that obstacleor the cable slipping would result. This would also apply tomine-elevators. Itis apparent that the invention may be applied withsimilar advantages to belt-driven machinery. Another application is tocapstans to prevent breaking of the cables by a sudden jerk or other toogreat strain. l j

My. device consists, essentially, of a rotary power-transmitting membercomposed of two parts, each of which has a, friction-face parallel toand opposite to that of the other, a second power-transmitting memberrotatably mounted on the first-named member between its friction-faces,the secondk member having friction-faces engaging with those on the rst,springs pressing the two parts of the firstnamed member toward eachother and clamping the second member therebetween, driving meansconnected to one of the members, and a driven device connected to theother of the members.

The device supplies an easy and effective means to prevent breaks orjerks between all driving and driven machinery.

For further description reference will now be had to the accompanyingdrawings.

Figure l is aside elevation of a gear-wheel embodying my invention. Fig.2 is a section in a vertical plane through the center of Fig. l Fig. 3is a top plan view of a modified form of my invention applied to acapstan. Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the center of the capstanrepresented in Fig. 3.

' My invention as embodied in the gear-wheel has two friction-disks 1and 2 facing each other, the disk l being mounted on a central circularboss 3, integral with the disk 2. A pin l is firmly seated in the disk 2and projecting alongside-and Hush therewith forms a lug on the peripheryof the boss 3. the said lug fitting into a corresponding notch in thedisk l. Thus the two disks 1 and 2 are so interlocked that they-mustrevolve together; but they have a free sliding movement to and from eachother.

vEach of the disks 1 2 has a circular shoulder 5. Mounted on theperipheries of the disks l 2 is a gear-ring 6, and extendinginvwardly'frorn the said gear-ring and integral therewith is afriction-flange 7 which is received between -the portions of the disks l2 from the shoulders 5 outward.

The combined depth of the shoulders 5 is less than the thickness of theflange 7 so that the disks 1 and 2 come in contact with the flange 7,while a space yet remains between the more central portions of the disksthemselves. Screw-bolts'S pass through the centers of iiat bow-shaped'springs 9 and also loosely through the disk 1 and have a thread-v edengagement with the disk 2, passing therethrough, the springs 9 pressingthe diskl toward the disk 2, and thus clamping the friction-flange 7 ofthe gear-ring 6 between the friction-disks 1 2. The gear-ring 6 has onits periphery teeth l0, which have engagement with a driven' gear, afragment of which is shown at 11, and the disk 2 is firmly secured IOOto a rotating driving-shaft 12, as by a key 13, or the shaft 12 mayequally as well be considered as driven and the gear 11 as driving. Thetension of the springs 9 may be increased or diminished by turning thebolts 8 in or out, thusA augmenting or lessening the clamping pressureof the disks 1 2 on the iange 7 and accordingly raising or lowering theslippingpoint of the coupling.

My invention could similarly be applied to a belt-pulley, the onlydierence in construction being that the gear-teeth 10 would be replacedby a band-face and the gear 11 by a belt or spur-wheel and chain.

In applying my invention to the capstan the same principles are made useof and also virtually the same parts, there merely being changes inshape of the parts to adapt them to use in a capstan instead of agear-wheel, but no change in the function performed by the several partsso far as the invention itself is concerned. In the capstan shown thewinding-cylinder 14 corresponds to the gear-ring 6 and the cable 15 tothe driven gear 11. The base friction-disk 16 corresponds to the disk 2and the cap friction-disk 17 to the disk 1, while the shoulder 18 andthe upstanding stud 19, integral with the disk 16, takes the place ofthe shoulders 5. Counterparts for the boss 3 and lug 4 are omitted;also, the frictioncylinder 14 does not extend over the peripheries ofthe disks 16 and 17, as does the gearring 6 with the disks 1 and 2. rlhespring 20 and the screws 21 are counterparts of the springs 9 and bolts8. Driving power is applied to the capstan by inserting a bar into oneof the holes 22, which winding-bar would thus be a counterpart of thedriving-shaft 12. All corresponding parts in the capstan perform likefunctions to the counterparts found in the gear-wheel. The spring 20 isof an inverted-saucer shape, and the screws 21 pass loosely through thedisk 17 and have threaded engagement in the stud 19. Ihen the screws 21are turned, the tension of the spring 2O is varied and thefriction-disks 16 17 caused to clamp between them with more or lessforce the friction-cylinder 14, the shoulder 18 and stud 19 not comingtogether. The capstan is supported to freely revolve in any usual way.It is shown in the drawings as supported by a lower stud`23, integralwith the disk 16, and held in place by a bolt 24 and washers 25. Thedisk 16 has the ratchet-teeth 26, engaged by the pawl 27, secured by thebolt 28, all as usually found in capstans, and the cylinder 14 has anordinary cable-eye 29. The disks 16 and 17 are held to rotate togetherby the screws 21, and the cylinder 14 is capable of rotary movement onthe stud 19 and shoulder 18.

In the operation of my device the bolts 8 are adjusted suiicient'lytight that the coupling will operate rigidly the same as if the disks 1and 2 and the gear-ring 6 were all in one piece, forming an ordinarygear for all ordinary working strains, but at the same time not so tightbut that the gear-ring 6 will slip on the disks 1 2 when the amount ofpower transmitted through the coupling reaches a dangerous excess. Thedegree of strain under which it is desired that the coupling shall yieldis predetermined by experiment or otherwise and adjustment of thesprings 9 made accordingly. This adjustment, of course, may be anythingfrom nothing up to the capacity of the device, but is intended ,to besuch as to allow only a safe margin of security against breakage. Incase of sudden starting or stopping or of some obstruction falling intothe machinery then my coupling device would yield and avoid a breakdown,the frictiondisks 1 and 2 slipping on the friction-Harige 7 As soon asthe excess of strain ceases or is removed then my coupling continues totransmit power as before the same as if nothing had happened. The lug 4of the disk 2 interlocking with the disk 1 causes the disks 1 and 2 torevolve together without any shearing strain being put upon the bolts 8.In the case of the capstan the screws 21 are adjusted down till thespring 2() draws the frictiondisks 16 and 17 against thewinding-cylinder 14 with the proper degree of force that when the cable15 is subjected to a pull approaching its breaking strain then thecylinder 14 will slip between the friction-disks 16 and 17. Any slippingthat may thus take place is vimmediately recovered in the continuedprocess of Winding.

The gear-wheel and capstan shown are simply examples of the applicationof my invention broadly considered, it -being evident that there are yetother uses to which it may be applied.

I claim as my invention- 1. A friction-coupling consisting of a rotarypower-transmitting member composed of two sections having oppositefrictionfaces and also having concentric circular projections extendingtoward but not meeting each other, a second power-transmitting membersupported by said sections and rotatably mounted on said projectionsbetween said friction-faces, and'devices pressing the two said sectionstoward each other and clamping the said second member between the saidfriction-faces, the said second member having friction-faces engagingthose on the said sections.

2. A friction-coupling consisting of a rotary power-transmitting membercomposed of two sections having opposite friction -faces and also havingconcentric circular projections extending toward but not meeting eachother, a second power-transmitting member supported by said sections androtatably mounted on said projections between said friction-faces, andsprings pressing the two said sections toward each other and clampingthe said second IOO IIO

I having a central circular boss integral theremember between the saidfriction-faces, the said second member having friction-faces engagingthose on the said sections.

3. .A friction-coupling consisting of a rotary y power-transmittingmember composed of two sections having opposite friction faces and alsohaving concentric circular projections extending toward but not meetingeach other, a second power-transmitting member supported by saidsections and rotatably mounted on said projections between saidfriction-faces, springs pressing the two said sections toward each otherand clamping the said second member between the said friction-faces, thesaid second member having friction-faces engaging those on the saidsections, and devices for varying the tension of said springs. l

4f. A friction-coupling consisting of the com bination of two diskshaving opposite friction-faces contiguous to their peripheries, agear-ring rotatably mounted on the peripheries of said disks, saidgear-ring having an integral flange extending inwardly between .saiddisks, said ange having friction-faces with, a second friction-diskmounted to slide longitudinally on said boss, a lug projecting radiallyfrom said boss and seating in a notch in the said second disk, agear-ring rotatably mounted on the peripheries of the said disks, saidgear-ring having teeth on its periphery, and said gear-ring also havinga friction-flange integral therewith and extending inwardly therefromand received between said disks,

and springs pressing the said second.disk toy ward the first-named diskand clamping the said flange between the two said disks.

6. A friction-coupling consisting of the combination of a rotary shaft,a friction.- disk mounted on and keyed to said shaft, said disk vhavinga central circular boss integral therewith, a second friction-diskmounted to slide longitudinally on said boss, a lug projectingradiallyfrom said boss and seating in a notch' in the said seconddisk,'a gear-ring Irotatably mounted on the peripheries of the saiddisks, said gear-ring having teeth on its periphery, and said gear-ringalso having a Vfriction-iiange integral therewith and extending inwardlytherefrom and received between said disks, springs pressing the saidsecond disk toward I the first-named disk and clamping the said angebetween the two said disks, and means for varying the tension of saidsprings.

7. In a friction-coupling, the combination of a friction-disk having acircular-boss concentric and mtegral therewlth, a second friction-diskmounted to slide longitudinally on said boss, a lug projecting radiallyfrom said boss and seating'in a notch in said second disk, a gear-ringrotatably mounted on the peripheries of the said disks, saidgear-ring'having teeth on its periphery and said gear-ring also havingAa" friction-flange integral therewith and extending inwardly\ therefromand received between said disks, and springs pressing the said seconddisk ltoward the -rst-named disk and clamping the said iange between thetwo said disks.

' 8.- In a friction-coupling, the combination of a friction-disk havinga circular boss concentric and integral therewith, a secondfriction-disk mounted to slide longitudinally on said boss, a lugprojecting radially from said boss and seating in a notch in said seconddisk, a gear-ring rotatably mounted on the peripheries of the saiddisks, saidgear-ring having teeth on its periphery and said gear-ringalso having a friction-flange integral therewith and extending inwardlytherefrom and received between said disks, springs pressing the saidsecond disk toward the rst-nameddisk and clamping the said flangebetween the two said disks, and means for varying the tension of saidsprings.

9. A friction-coupling consisting of the combination of a rotary shaft,a friction-disk mounted on and keyed to said shaft, said disk having acircular boss concentric and integral therewith, a second friction-diskmounted to` slide longitudinally on said boss, a pin inserted in thefirst-named disk and projecting iiush with said boss alongsidethereof,said pin seating in a notch in the said second disk, a gear-ringrotatably mounted on the peripheries'of the said disks, said gear-ringhaving teeth on its periphery, and said gear-ring also having afriction-flange integral therewith and extending inwardly therefrom,saidiiange being received between the outer portions of said disks, saiddisks having circular shoulders fitting partly over the edge of saidflange, flat bowed springs having'their 'ends resting on the yexposedside of said second disk, and screw-bolts passingthrough the centers ofsaid springs and loosely through said second disk and having threadedengagement with -said first-named disk. l

10. A friction-coupling' consisting of arotary power-transmitting membercomposed of two sections having opposite friction-faces and also havingconcentric circular projections extending toward but not meeting eachother, a second powertransmitting member supported by said sections androtatably mounted on said projections between saidfriction-faces,springs pressing the two said sections toward each other and clampingthe said second member between 'the said friction-faces, the said IOOISO

second member having friction-faces engaging those on the saidsections,and devices for varying the tension of said springs, thetension of said springs always being such that the said coupling isrigid under ordinary load but that the said engaging friction-faces willslip on each other under a predetermined excess of load.

11.- A friction-coupling consisting of the combination of two diskshaving opposite friction-faces contiguous to their peripheries, agear-ring rotatably mounted on the peripheries of said disks, saidgear-ring having an integral flange extending inwardly between saiddisks, said flange having friction-faces engaging with those on saiddisks, said gearring also having gear-teeth on its periphery, springspressing the two said disks toward each other and clamping the saidflange therebetween, devices for varying the tension of said springs,and mechanism independent of said devices for causing said disks tointerlock with each other, the tension of said springs always being suchthat the said coupling is rigid under ordinary load but that the saidengaging friction-faces will slip on each other under a predeterminedexcess of load.

12. A friction-coupling consisting of the combination of two diskshaving opposite friction-faces, a power-transmitting ring rotatablymounted between said disks and having friction faces engaging with thoseon said disks, springs pressing the two said disks toward each other andclamping the said ring therebetween, devices for varying the tension ofsaid springs, mechanism independent of said devices for causing saiddisks to interlock with each other so as to rotate together, the tensionof said springs always'being such that the said coupling is rigid underordinary load but that the said engaging friction-faces will slip oneach other under a predetermined excess of load.

13. A friction-coupling consisting of the combination of a rotary shaft,a friction-disk mounted on and keyed to said shaft, said disk having acentral circular boss integral therewith, a second friction-disk mountedto slide longitudinally on said boss, a lug projecting radially fromsaid boss and seating in a notch in the said second disk, a gear-ringrotatably mounted on the peripheries of the said disks, said gear-ringhaving teeth on its periphery, and said gear-ring also having africtionilange integral therewith and projecting inwardly therefrom andreceived between said disks, springs pressing the said second disktoward the first-named disk and clamping the Said flange between the twosaid disks, and means for varying the tension of said springs, thetension of said springs always being such that the said coupling isrigid under ordinary load but that the said disks and the said gearringwill slip relatively to each other under a predetermined excess of load.

14. In a friction-coupling, the combination of a friction-disk having acircular boss concentric and integral therewith, a second friction-diskmounted to slide'longitudinally on said boss, a lug projecting radiallyfrom said boss and seating on a notch in said second disk, a gear-ringrotatably mounted on the peripheries of the said disks, said gear-ringhaving teeth on its periphery, and said gear-ring also having afriction-flange integral therewith and extending inwardly therefrom andreceived between said disks, springs pressing the said second disktoward the lirst-named disk and clamping the said flange between the twosaid disks, and means for varying the tension of said springs, thetension of said springs always being such that the said coupling isrigid under ordinary load but that the said disks and the said gear-ringwill slip relatively to each other under a predetermined excess of load.

15. A friction-coupling consisting of the combination of a rotary shaft,a friction-disk mounted on and keyed to said shaft, said disk having acircular boss concentric and integral therewith, a second friction-diskmounted to slide longitudinally on said boss, a pin inserted in thefirst-named disk and projecting flush with said boss alongside thereof,said pin seating in a notch in the said second disk, a gearringrotatably mounted on the peripheries of the said disk's, said gear-ringhaving teeth on its periphery, and said gear-ring also having ai'riction-ilange integral therewith and extending inwardly therefrom,said flange being received between the outer portions of said disks,said disks having' circular shoulders fitting partly over the edge ofsaid flange, flat bowed springs having their ends resting on the exposedside of said second disk, and screwbolts passing through the centers ofsaid springs and loosely through said second disk and having Ythreadedengagement with said first-named disk, the tension of said springsalways being such that the said coupling is rigid under ordinary loadbut that the said disks and the said gear-ring will slip relatively 1to(ach other under a predetermined excess of 16. In a friction-coupling,the combination of avfriction-disk having a circular boss concentric andintegral therewith, a second friction-disk mounted to slidelongitudinally on said boss, a gear-ring rotatably mounted on theperipheries of the said disks, said gearring having teeth on itsperiphery, and said gear-ringv also having a friction-flange integraltherewith and extending inwardly therefrom, said flange being receivedbetween the outer portions of said disks, said disks having circularshoulders fitting partly over the edge of said flange, ilat bowedsprings having their ends resting on the exposed side of said seconddisk, screw-bolts passing through the centers of said springs andloosely through said lof second disk and having threaded engagement withsaid first-named disk, and means in addition to said bolts for causingsaid disks to interlock with each other so as to rotate together,.whereby said bolts are relieved of all shearing strain.

17. In a friction-coupling, the combination of two disks having oppositefriction-faces, a power-transmitting ring rotatably mounted between saiddisks and having friction-faces engaging with those on said disks,springs pressing the two said disks toward each other and clamping thesaid ring therebetween, devices for varying the tension of said springs,and mechanism independent of said devices for causing said disks tointerlock with each other so as to rotate together.

18. A friction-coupling consisting of the combination of a rotary shaft,a friction-disk mounted on and keyed to said shaft, said disk having acircular boss concentric and integral therewith, a second friction-diskmounted on and to slide longitudinally on said boss, a gearringrotatably mounted on the peripheries of said disks, said gear-ring`having teeth on its periphery, and said gear-ring also having afriction-ange integral therewith and extending inwardly therefrom, saidflange being received between the outer portions of said disks, saiddisks having circular shoulders fitting partly over the edge of saidflange, said gearring being supported by said disks, iiat bowed springshaving their ends resting on the eX- posed side of said second disk, andscrew-bolts passing through the centers of said Springs and looselythrough said second disk and havng threaded engagement with saidfirst-named isk.

19. A friction-coupling consisting of the combination of a rotary shaft,a friction-disk mounted on and keyed to said shaft, said disk having acircular boss concentric and integral therewith, a second friction-diskmounted on and to slide longitudinally .on said boss, apower-transmitting ring rotatably mounted on the peripheries of saiddisks, said ring having a friction-ange integral therewith and extendinginwardly therefrom, said iiange being received between the outerportions of said disks, said ring being supported by said disks, springspressing the two said disks toward each other and clamping the saidflange therebetween, and devices for varying the tension of saidsprings.

20. A friction-coupling consisting of the combination of two diskshaving opposite friction-faces contiguous to their peripheries, apower-transmitting ring rotatably mounted on the peripheries of saiddisks, said ring having an integral flange extending inwardly betweensaid disks, said -iange having friction-faces engaging with those onsaid disks, said disks having circular shoulders fitting partly over theedge .of said iange, said ring being supported by said disks, springspressing the two said disks toward each other and clamping the saidliange therebetween, and devices for varying the tension of saidsprings. 2l. A friction-coupling consisting of the combination of arotary shaft, a friction-disk mounted on and keyed to said shaft, saiddisk having a circular boss concentric and integral therewith, a secondfriction-disk mounted on and to slide longitudinally on said boss, a

power-transmitting ring rotatably mounted on,v the peripheries of saiddisks, said ring -having a friction-flange integral therewith andextending inwardly therefrom, said fiange being received between theouter portions of said disks, said ring being supported by said disks,springs pressing the two said disks toward each other and clamping thesaid flange therebetween, devices for varying the tension vhaving anintegral flange extending inwardly between said disks, said flangehaving friction-faces engaging with those on said disks, said diskshaving circular shoulders Jfitting partly over the edge of said flange,said ring being supported by said disks, springs pressing the two saiddisks toward each other and clamping the said ange therebetween, devicesfor varying the tension of said springs, and mechanism independent ofsaid devices for causing said disks to interlock with each other, thetension of said springs always being such that the said coupling isrigid under ordinary load but that the said engaging friction-faces willslip on each other under a predetermined excess of load.

In testimony whereof I hereunto sign my name and afiix my seal this 29thday of May 1903.

WILLIAM HENRY SMITH.

Vitnesses:

ALF. J. SAYWELL,

ROY W. COLE.

IOO

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